Shimon Braun
Artistic Director, Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher, Artist
WAVES stood at the forefront of dance in Philadelphia as its reputation grew across the United States.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Critically acclaimed Shimon Braun reimagines his life and legacy at 85-years of age. An original company member of Martha Graham’s Batsheva, he has performed works by Donald McKayle, Glen Tetley, Robert Cohan, and Norman Morrice. His illustrious choreographic career began after being the first Batsheva Dance Company member ever invited to choreograph for the famed ensemble. Born at the time and place the second world war began (Lodge, Poland; 1938), his childhood consisted of escaping through five different Countries, attending five different schools, and learning five languages to evade the Nazi’s. Having lived a life of strife and triumph, his vast lived experience molded an artistic Oeuvre which shaped the emergence of Jazz Dance in Israel and the United States.
“Jazz Plus was largely responsible for saving the first days of Israeli television. In the Venice Film Festival there is just one movie found worthy to represent Israel, and that is a film by Ilan Eldad called Jazz Plus.”
-Davar Hashavua, Yorum Kaniuck, Writer, Journalist, Theatre Critic
Since Israel first had Television, Shimon was a main feature. Every weekend, the only television channel in existence premiered his dance performances with Jazz Plus for the newly formed State to see. Shimon in turn introduced households in an uncertain political time to the profound beauty of Jazz Dance. After moving to America for a Martha Graham Fellowship, Shimon additionally trained under the instruction of the revered choreographers Jack Cole, Luigi, JoJo Smith, Hanya Holm, and Matt Maddox before starting a dance company of his own; creating always with the intention of continuing his mission to promote peace and understanding through his art.
He has choreographed for Diana Ross, the feature film Kazablan (distributed by MGM), performed on Broadway in the Grand Musical of Israel, taught at universities such as University of the Arts in Philadelphia, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, choreographed for the nationally syndicated show aired in 75 major markets, This Weeks Music, was deemed “Best of Philadelphia” for his studio Jazz Dance Center, and choreographed now, an art film about his company Jazz Plus which received accolades from the Venice Film Festival.
Over the last three years, Shimon has devoted his time to writing the story of Waves with his life partner and artistic collaborator Meghan. He is a proud father of three beautiful human beings which he views to be his greatest achievement.
Meghan Braun is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and educator. She began her career touring 48 states with Waves serving as Dancer, Dance Captain, Rehearsal Director, and Guest Choreographer before moving to Los Angeles to work on the famed television show Star Search.
After touring internationally for several years, Meghan returned to Israel to co-direct Jazz Plus with Shimon. In Israel, Meghan also served as head of the Contemporary Dance Department and choreographer at the Performing Arts High School in Tel Aviv.
Meghan returned to the States after seven years to join the Contemporary Faculty at the revered Rock School for Dance Education, a post she held for twelve years. During this time, she worked as the Rock School’s Outreach Director and was additionally a member of the Dance Faculty at Villanova University.
Shimon and Meghan are artistic collaborators, life partners, and parents to two amazing human beings: their twin daughters Aiyana and Shirina. Their latest collaboration has been archiving Shimon’s choreography, photos, and artwork and co-writing their up-coming book, A Choreographic Journey of Survival and Triumph.
Kol Nedre, Prayer for the Dead, Choreography Shimon Braun
Martha Graham, Shimon and Galia Gat in Robert Cohen’s Celebrants. | Photo: Arik Dichne
Shimon and Ahuva Anbari in Robert Cohen’s dance, The Pass | Photo: Arik Dichne
Shimon and with Martha Graham measuring costumes for Robert Cohen’s The Pass, 1964. | Photo: Arik Dichne
Shimon with Luigi. Luigi nicknamed him, The Israeli Luigi.
EXCERPT FROM THE FILM JAZZ PLUS, INA GADDA DAVIDA, SHIMON BRAUN CHOREOGRAPHy
A clip from the movie Jazz Plus. © 2020 Shimon Braun, all rights reserved
WAVES
Dune I, Waves Philadelphia.
Shimon dancing an encore with WAVES.
“Braun does what a choreographer is supposed to do: make us see the body anew: make us tense when one body meets another: and throughout, he entertains.”
-That’s Entertainment
Waves Dance Company was created by Shimon Braun, he mixes the excitement of dance with the magic of theater. Waves is a celebration of bodies of rhythms, of connections of life and for life, it is a celebration of today while remembering the strengths of yesterday. Critics headline their reviews with - Waves Dances up a Brilliant Storm, High on Energy, Resounding - Waves Celebrates Movement.
From Jazz Plus the program was called “Now”